Page 6 - North Haven Magazine Issue 26 Holiday 2022

by Sally Brockett
Sleigh Bells Ring...

he holidays bring forth the sounds of bells jingling amid all the other joyful sounds of favorite songs, the laughter of
Tfamily and friends, excited squeals of children, and perhaps the swoosh of skates as they glide over the ice. Let’s learn
more about the history of sleigh bells and the use of these bells on horses as they pull sleighs through the snow.

Bells and Horses: change depending on the type of metal
The use of ornaments on horses dates back and how the bell is made.
800 BC. It was believed that bells brought
good luck, protected against disease and In Sweden, sleigh bells were often very
injury, boasted the owner’s wealth, and en- large, up to two or three inches in diame-
hanced the beauty of the horse. ter. They had six pie-shaped pieces created
by very narrow throats that were cut into
Horse bells were made of a variety of met- the bell rather than cast. They have a very
als and were often plated with gold or sil- deep, loud tone due to their size.
ver in the 1500s and 1600s. Sometimes
they were engraved with inscriptions and
the coat of arms of the family. Fancy bells Stephens family with Pride pulling sleigh
with shaft bells. Circa 1955
were also used as gifts and awards.
sleigH Bells as Holiday decoration:
Sleigh bells have become increasingly pop-
ular as decorations for the holidays. Start-
ing with Thanksgiving, and continuing
through Christmas, sleigh bells are used
and heard in the community and in music.
Today, some of the decorations are imita-
tions of the real bells that were used on the
horses, but they do jingle and bring out
Swedish bells with 6 pie-shaped pieces that holiday feeling.
Colorful neck bells decorate the horses. location of Bells on Horses:
Photo Credit: Explorelawrence.com When sleigh bells are used with horses,
the owner decides where to place the bells.
The bells also had a very practical func- There are a variety of options, but the most
tion. When used on horses pulling sleighs, popular is to place the bells on the body
it alerted others to the approaching vehi- strap which buckles around the middle of
cle. Snow would muffle the clopping of the the horse. The New England style of body
horses’ hooves and the sleigh runners, so strap contains bells in graduated sizes.
the bells were important for letting others
know of the vehicle. They were also useful The neck strap is also a popular choice
to alert potential customers that a vendor for placement. This simply puts the bells
was in the neighborhood selling his wares around the horse’s neck or collar. Bells may
or that a delivery cart was in the area. In be of graduated size, or all the same size.
the 1700s and 1800s in Britain, bells were The Swedish bells are often put on a hip Bells in a decorative swag and trees.
used on pack horses as they traveled along strap which hangs down over the horse’s
the narrow, winding trails. hip or back. The decorative holiday bells may be hung
design of tHe Bells: Sometimes the bells are attached to the on holiday trees, doors, and mailboxes.
Some may be found on the dinner table
sleigh or wagon instead of directly on the
Technically, the traditional sleigh bell is horse. These are referred to as shaft bells among the evergreens and candles, and
called a crotal. It is usually a hollow round because they are on the shaft of the wagon they are often included in wreath decora-
shape with a pellet contained inside. The or sleigh. tions. Children frequently use hand-held
bell has slits in it to allow the sides to vi- jingle bells to add accompaniment to
brate when struck by the pellet. The slits songs. These decorative bells may be made
are referred to as the “throat” of the bell. of brass, but other metals such as tin and
Originally there was one broad slit, or nickel are also used.
throat, which produced a rich tone. In the
1800s, manufacturers began making two When you decorate your property and
or three “throats” on their bells which pro- home, think about ways to incorporate the
duced a softer jingle tone. sleigh bells, and keep an ear out for those
jingling bells!
Sleigh bells were originally cast in brass
which could be polished to a bright shine.
Later, manufacturers began making
stamped metal bells. The tonal qualities Santa is often seen with sleigh bells!

6 North Haven Magazine - Holiday Issue 2022